Texas Woman [Mass Market Paperback]

Sloan Stewart is the eldest of Rip Stewart's daughters. She is his heir, his rock. She's the overseer on his plantation. She lives for the land, because past heartbreak has taught her that land is all that one can count on. She was always considered unusual by the town's standards. Now she's has had a son out of wedlock by her first love, a traitor, and she's made a secret deal with his brother, Cruz. Cruz has loved her for years, but Sloan is too afraid to love him. When a secret part of Rip's life comes to light, Sloan is furious and unwillingly turns to Cruz. The author manages to keep the romance and action going without sacrificing the heroine's independent spirit, even when it inconveniences the hero. She adds intrigue with Cruz's secret occupation, Cruz's mother and ties up loose ends with Sloan's son, whom she gave to Cruz to raise because she was afraid to love him. The secondary love story with Luke was a nice touch, too. All in all, the story was well-written and I was sorry to see the Sisters of the Lone Star end. I hope Joan Johnson will eventually do some sequels about their children. I'd like to see how the next generation of Lone Star children handle their adventures.

"Texas Woman" is the third and last story of Joan Johnston's 'Sisters of the Lone Star' trilogy.They follow the life,loves and adventures of three sisters born to wealthy cotton plantation owner,Rip Stewart. His dreams were dashed when he had girls instead of boys to follow in his big footsteps,but raised his daughters to have the courage and strength of any man.The first two books(also great reads),Frontier Woman and Comanche Woman focus on the younger rebellious daughter "Cricket" and the quiet middle sister "Bay".It is helpful, but not neccessary to have read these two stories first for the background information on the family history and the history of Texas' fight for Statehood and freedom from Mexico.

And so now we come to the story of Sloan Stewart, or as she is very affectionately called by Cruz Guerrero(I see Antonio Banderas here), the man who loves her, "Cebellina".
Sloan is the strong one. The one Rip has groomed all her life to someday take over the sprawling plantation known as Three Oaks.Through tragic circumstances, Sloan has built a wall around herself that will not be easily broken. Cruz, has loved his dead brother's lover from the first time he laid eyes on her.A secret pact that the two made in the earlier novels, now comes to light, and Sloan is forced to abide by her word. She is torn betweeen her love of her land and the kind of everlasting love a man like Cruz can offer her.

Miss Johnston keeps us captivated by Sloan's story until the very last chapter. There is also, as always dangerous villans,exciting adventure and steamy romance.The continuing story of the Republic of Texas and the move to Statehood is an interesting bit of history added to the adventure.We also learn more about Luke, the half brother of the sisters and a new character, Tomasita, adds her charms as well.Cricket, Bay and their faimilies make brief but touching appearances as well.

I couldn't put this one down. If you love romance and western adventure you'll love this one as well. "Cebellina" has become my favorite of the three sisters.Joan Johnston gave her a heart the size of Texas and her story will leave you wanting more.

So,thanks Joan Johnston, for once again taking me away to another time and place, and now it's on to the 'Bitter Creek' series to read about the modern day descendants of these three remarkable women.(see below for list and links of bittercreek series books)

Happy trails....Laurie

Bittercreek series(see my reviews for ratings and story details)
The Cowboy
THE TEXAN
The Loner
The Price: A Novel (Bitter Creek)
The Rivals Large Print
The Next Mrs. Blackthorne: A Bitter Creek Novel

This was recommended to me by a girl I work with who is a big fan of the western-romance genre and of this author in particular. With her stamp of approval, I read this, and I parts of it were good. However, I did not feel any chemistry between the two main characters and tended to skim their love scenes. And apparently it is a requirement of the cowboy-romance that rape has to be involved portrayed as love, because this is the third book in which I've encountered it. There was this side character who was really sweet and charming until he finally got alone with the girl he loved. Then he sort of kidnapped her and called her "mustang girl" because she struggled to get away as he was raping her, and he was generally creepy and forced himself on her even though she said no, and when she asked if he intended to marry her afterward he said, "Sorry, girl, this bronc can't be tamed." But he otherwise continued to be sweet and charming, except in his dealings with this girl when he was really really creepy. So, I won't be reading more by this author.